Encouragement Feeding Program

The Encouragement Feeding Program helps wean children from feeding tubes and transition to normal, age-appropriate eating habits. Our two-week program requires the participation of parents or caregivers, who are shown how to overcome a child’s avoidance or resistance to eating.

For children with deformities of the oral structures (lips, tongue, palate or jaw) or those who have received nourishment through a feeding tube for an extended period of time, learning to eat normally can be an unpleasant experience. It can be difficult to adjust to the taste and textures of different foods. It may also be hard for children to learn to regulate their hunger as tube-feeding schedules don't mimic typical feeding schedules. That's where our program can help.